Scotland – “Sláinte mhath”

There’s nothing quite like your local Scottish pub. It’s the hub of Scottish drinking culture, complete with live folk music and history in the form of old paintings strung along the walls. With its dim lighting and favorite Scottish spirits on display, these old watering holes have always functioned as a warm place for friends & family to gather – whether you’re a local or just passing through town.

The Scottish way to say Cheers is “Slàinte mhath!” which means “Good health!” and is pronounced “Slanj-a-va.” Whether you’re in a pub, distillery, or in the company of loved ones, the Scottish will “Cheers” to pretty much anything. 

You’re probably used to shaking hands and giving your name as a formal way to introduce yourself. In Scotland, this is rarely the case among locals. Your name is very personal and the Scottish don’t give up this information readily, so it’s best to follow their lead. Instead, find some common ground to connect over, toast over a drink, and let things flow from there.

Drinking in Scotland is usually done in a series of rounds, with each friend buying a round at some point for the group. The exception to this rule is when you’re in the company of an elder or someone you owe respect to, in which case jumping to pay for the bill might actually offend them. In those scenarios, it’s best to wait it out and let them move first.

If you end up striking up conversation with some locals, you might quickly learn that the Scottish are a pretty animated bunch and they might interject you mid-story. Interruption is actually a sign of interest, though, so take those conversations in stride and expect the pace to move quickly.

Regarded as one of the most important Scottish holidays, Hogmanay (translated to “last day of the year”) is a 3-day New Year’s festival jam-packed with events. Because Christmas wasn’t a publicly recognized holiday from the 17th century until 1958, it’s likely that the modern Hogmanay traditions originated back in the 17th century as a way for family & friends to gather together and exchange gifts. 

The ceremonial torchlight procession marks the beginning of the festivities on December 30th, creating a river of fire down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. On New Year’s Eve, Princes Street hosts a giant street party filled with live music, DJs, street performers, outdoor bars, street food, and of course, midnight fireworks. If it couldn’t get any better, every reveler gets a complimentary Johnnie Walker Highball Cocktail to kick off the night. To continue the celebration into New Year’s day, participate in the Loony Dook tradition on January 1st. These brave participants willingly take a plunge in the freezing River Forth, dressed in the craziest outfits they could find, to raise money for charities.